Japan Cablecast Selects TAG Video Systems’ MCM-9000 For 24/7/365 Monitoring

The 100% IP solution allows IP sources to be directly monitored eliminating the need for IP to SDI conversion.
TAG Video Systems has provided Japan Cablecast with a 100% IP, 100% software system running on COTS hardware, to streamline and automate monitoring capabilities. Tokyo based Japan Cablecast, is a distributor of digital television broadcasts for cable stations.
Working with DIGIcas, TAG’s Japanese, Japan Cablecast chose and implemented TAG’s MCM-9000 in its Network Operations Center (NOC) to monitor 160 signals. All the streams, including MPEG-TS and OTT, are monitored 24/7/365; errors and problems are logged automatically and recorded by the system. Error reporting, as well as full control of the MCM-9000 by third party devices are achieved via the MCM-9000’s elaborate API.
“Until now, we had to convert IP streams to SDI for monitoring on a Multiviewer, and that was a problem, explained Nishizawa, Chief Manager. “The TAG system allows us to bypass the IP to SDI conversion process and monitor the original MPEG-TS and OTT signals for video/audio compliance, as well as all other stream parameters, making the monitoring much more comprehensive and accurate while saving us time and increasing the efficiency of the staff.”
Nishizawa, who is responsible for evaluating next generation systems and implementing best-of-breed solutions for Japan Cablecast, added “It is a brilliant system! Before TAG we had to check all errors manually with operators physically watching the signals and using various additional test equipment. Now almost all errors are detected automatically. And because TAG is 100% IP, we can check the Multiviewer mosaic output from anywhere if we need to, which is a serious consideration today, and a huge benefit. Costs played another factor in our decision to go with TAG. The initial cost was very attractive and operating costs are extremely reasonable because all it involves is replacing a server about every 5-7 years.”
According to Nishizawa, DIGIcas provided the Japan Cablecast team with training so they could manage the system settings independently, and use APIs to control and interact with third party solutions. He added, “DIGIcas always provided information and assistance quickly, their support and maintenance service is excellent, and since the TAG system is all software based, we can update, upgrade, and install new features on our own, any time they become available.”
You might also like...
IP Security For Broadcasters: Part 10 - NATS Advanced Messaging
As IT and broadcast infrastructures become ever more complex, the need to securely exchange data is becoming more challenging. NATS messaging is designed to simplify collaboration between often diverse software applications.
Standards: Part 26 - An Introduction To Metadata
Here we describe how metadata facilitates your asset workflow and distribution. It keeps track of your products in the archives so they can be re-purposed and monetized later.
TV Piracy Update 2025
AI and machine learning are bringing new tools to combat TV and stream piracy, but at the same time blunting the effectiveness of some established ones such as forensic watermarking. More than ever the scourge of piracy must be combated…
IP Security For Broadcasters: Part 9 - NMOS Security
NMOS has succeeded in providing interoperability between media devices on IP infrastructures, and there are provisions within the specifications to help maintain system security.
The New Frontier Of Interactive Rights: Part 3 - The Three Pillars Of Interactive Rights
Sports are the early adopters of Interactive Rights due to the special nature of their content and the viewer and brand engagement that sporting events create. While there are some visible implementation obstacles to overcome to achieve the vision of…